Stormwater Management (MS4)

Public Information

Welcome to the East Hempfield Township's Stormwater Management Information page. This page is designed to provide Township citizens with quick access to information and resources to preserve and protect clean water in the Township and the Lancaster County regional community. East Hempfield Township is actively involved in a variety of programs and initiatives to meet various Statewide and National goals for clean water.

Local residents have a role to play too, which when combined together will have a positive impact on our environment and the water that is so important to us all.Stormwater originates from rainfall and other precipitation that runs off of surfaces all over the Township - rooftops, streets, construction sites, lawns, fields, etc. Stormwater makes its way either along the surface or soaks into the ground. The surface water flows into swales, storm drains, and other natural water courses. As this water moved toward the streams and rivers, it will pick up loose things on the ground with it. This can include pollutants, sediment, leaves, trash, etc.

The Township is actively involved in meeting statutory permitting requirements under state and federal law. The water that soaks into the ground becomes part of the groundwater. For the residents who get their water from wells or from the Hempfield Water Authority, this becomes your drinking water. The Township is therefore developing a variety of programs and strategies to enhance water quality through plantings, mowing strategies, implementation of stormwater management facilities and other "best management practices" (BMPs). We hope that you will find this information useful in learning about the requirements as well as tools to use on your own.

Storm Water Management - NPDES and MS4 Programs

The Clean Water Act is the federal legislation that governs stormwater management. Stormwater point discharges to waters of the U.S. (pipes and drain pipes) are regulated using National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits.

In 1999, federal regulations extended coverage of the NPDES program to Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4’s) serving populations less than 100,000. IN 2004, East Hempfield Township became an MS4 community and as such is required to comply with the NPDES program. Under the NPDES stormwater program, the Township is required to develop a stormwater management program that provides the details of how the community will comply with the requirements of the permit. Permits are based on a framework of six minimum control measures: